Mixed textile material and method of making same



Watented Apr. 27, 1937 NT OFFICE MIXED TEXTILE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Leon w. Weinberg, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to .UNI'TED STATES PATE Celanese Corporation of America, a corporation of Ilelaware NoDrawing. Application July 20, 1934, Serial No. 737,135

14 Claims.

This invention relates to the conditioning of fibers comprising organic derivatives of cellulose such that the same may be readily employed alone or in admixture with other fibers, such as 'wool, in forming yarns and threads and fabrics this invention are the staple length fibers containing organic derivatives of cellulose. These fibers may beformed in any suitable manner, preferably by extruding, through suitable orifices, into a solidifying medium a solution of an from h yarns, a organic derivative of cellulose, such that con- 5 An object of the invention is the economic and tinuous filaments are formed. The continuous expeditious production of yarns and threads filaments may then be formed into groups or and/or the fabric made from same wherein the bands and these groups or bands may then be in yarns and threads contain fibers of organic decut or torn into short lengths by suitable knives rivatives of cellulose alone or in admixture with or sets of nip rollers. All the artificial fibers other fibers such as wool." Another object of the may be of the same length or of a mixture of invention is the conditioning of the organic devariouslengths. The length of the fibers may rivatives of cellulose fibers such that they more vary between inch and inches in length readily lend themselves to the processing treatdepending upon the product desired. By regu- 15 ment in admixture with wool fibers. other oblating the size of orifices and conditions at the jects of the invention will appearfrom the foltimeof extrusion, fibers of any suitable denier lowing detailed description. In processing wool may be formed and for thepurpose of this into yarns or-thread by anyof'the ordinary methvention fibershaving deniers between 0.5 and 25 ods, itis necessary to apply to the same an oily may be employed. material which may be anemulsion of. an oil or The fibers may be relatively straight fibers,

p oils in water or other suitable lubricant or sofslightly curved or highly crimped. They may tener. When employing mixtures of wool and also be of any suitable cross section from flatorganic derivatives of cellulose fibers, however, tened to bulbous fibers.

it is found that these oily materials cause a Although the derivative of cellulose preferred 25 stringiness in the artificial fibers that prevent as the .base material of the artificial fibers is them from being properly mixed, opened up and cellulose acetate,. other derivatives of cellulose cardedr The artificial fibers, due to methods of may be employed such as the other organic esters forming same of continuous filaments and methof cellulose and cellulose ethers. Examples of ods of shipping same, are more or less matted other organic esters of cellulose are cellulose when received at the place of use. These matted formate, cellulose propionate, and cellulose buartificial fibers must, therefore, like the wool tyrate while examples of cellulose ethers are fibers be opened up or separated into a more methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and benzyl celluworkable mass. To mix the two types of fibers lose. The mixed esters and ethers of cellulose and open them up by a woolen method is very may also be employed for example nitro cellulose 35 difficult if a uniform product is desired. Moreacetate.

over, the wool in themixture must be treated The artificial fibers may contain, besides the With its Particular yp of lubricant n Softenorganic derivative of cellulose, efiect materials er which causes the artificial fibers to become such as pigments fining materials, dyes or lakes,

stringy and Otherwise become less adaptfid to fire retardants, de-electrifiers, plasticizers, sizes 40 the future processing such as opening up, and lubricants. Examples of pigments and fillblelidmgi Card-111g ing materials are the metallic salts and oxides Acoltdmg to my inyentioahowevetl ovfarcome such as bismuth oxychloride, titanium oxide, the obiections and difliculties encountered in proantimony oxide zinc oxide tin phosphates cessing yams or threads of mixtures of wool and silicates and the non metallic substances such 45 artificial fibers by treating the artificial fibers alone with a. lubricant in a low boiling nonaquei g i gdfi i z i ous carrier, said lubricant resulting by the time Ce u xlamp es re re at are the two types of fibers are mixed, in a mixture chlomapgthaheneqmpheny} phosphate and that is compatible with and similar to the lucrisyl P 9 t a es of Sizes the 50 bricant and softener later to be applied to the Waxes resins d P etic resmous erialsmixture of W001 a tifi ial fib f aiding Examples of the lubricants or Olly materials are in processing the mixture and satisfying the rethe alllmabvegeitable and mmerzil 0115 such as quirement of the'wool fiber as a, prerequisite to t 011, 011V? 011, neats-foot 011 d Petroleum carding etc. Thus, in accordance with my elly, g1ycer1nes, glycols and the derivatives and 55 l vention the artificial fibers are treated with a Substltutlon Products Of the p y y alcoholsnonaqueous oily material and opened up prior t These effect materials may be incorporated with their being mixed with the wool fibers which may the fibers by addin same to t e spinni so Or may not have been picked to small tufts. tion from which the filaments are formed that The artificial fibers that lend themselves to aredivided into the fibers or by ap yin me to the filaments as they are formed or during any winding operation with or without the presence of swelling agents.

The artificial fibers may contain plasticizers, examples of which are the aryl sulphonamides as para ethyl toluol sulphonamide, the alkyl phthalates as dimethyl phthalates, the dialkyl tartrates as dibutyltartrate, the alkoxy esters of polybasic organic acids as diethyoxy ethyl phthalate, the polybasic acid esters of the mono-alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols as diethylene glycol ethyl ether ester of phthalic acid, the alkyl esters of phosphoric acid as triglycol phosphate, the aryl esters of phosphoric acid as tricresyl phosphate and the mixed alkyl and aryl phosphates. The plasticizers may be used alone or in combination with others. The quantity of plasticizer that may be employed may vary within very great limits say from 1 to 50% of the weight of cellulosic derivatives.

As stated above the artificial fibers of suitable length, preferably 4 to 7 inches, may be treated with a lubricant in a nonaqueous carrier and opened prior to being mixed with the wool fiber. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. However, the preferred method is to place a layer of the material of few inches thick upon a mixing floor and blow atomized or finely divided droplets of the lubricant upon this layer, cover the first layer with a second layer and again subject the material to atomized lubricant and so on until the desired quantity has been treated. Any suitable atomizing device may be employed for this purpose. Other methods of applying the lubricant may be employed as by sprinkling the layers with the lubricant or spraying the lubricant on to a layer of the fibers passing on a conveyer under the spraying device.

The artificial fibers if matted may be passed through a wool picker device and separated into tufts prior to or subsequent to oiling or the artificial fibers may be given an oiling before and after such a separating action. It is preferred, however, that the oiling treatment be relatively recent in respect to the complete opening up action. The complete opening up action is preferably accomplished by passing the material through the first breaker of a card device instead of the opener used in opening wool fibers.

The lubricant that may be used on the artificial fibers contains two parts, the lubricant proper and a carrier therefor. The lubricant proper may be formed by mixing together mineral oil, water, an alkaline hydroxide, vegetable and/or animal oils or the fatty acids derived therefrom, and an alcohol. The lubricant proper is mixed with a carrier which is preferably kerosene or similar substance. The carrier should be such that it will aid in distributing the lubricant proper on the artificial fibers and remain there until the opening up action has started at which time it should evaporate leaving only the lubricant proper on the opened up fibers. The artificial fibers may then be mixed with the wool fibers and the whole lubricated with a lubricant of a type suitable for the treatment of wool fibers without effecting to a disadvantage the carding properties of the artificial fibers which if not pretreated in accordance with this invention develop a stringiness difficult to remove by carding.

The lubricant proper to be applied to the artificial fibers may vary considerably in components and their percentages. However for the purpose of further describing the invention and not as a limitation the following formula is given of a preferred lubricant.

Parts White mineral oil 320 Water 4.4 Potassium hydroxide 47 B 6.7 Oleic acid 31.9 Ethyl alcohol 11.3

In place of white mineral oil any suitable mineral oil may be employed, where light color is immaterial, having the viscosity of light lubricating oil. The amount of mineral oil employed may vary between 275 and 400 parts by volume. In place of potassium hydroxide any of the alkali metal hydroxides or ammonium hydroxide may be employed in amounts of from 5 to 10 parts by volume. In place of oleic acid any of the fatty acids may be employed, for example stearic acid and palmitic acid or mixtures of these. The fatty acids may be employed in amounts from 20 to 40 parts by volume. The fatty acids may be replaced in whole or in part by oils or fats, such as stearin, olein, castor oil, olive oil, coconut oil, etc. Between 5 and 20 parts of sulphonated oils may be also added to the mixture. In place of or in conjunction With the ethyl alcohol other monohydric alcohols may be employed such as methyl alcohol and butyl alcohol. The monohydric alcohols may be employed in amounts from 5 to 20 parts by volume. From 1 to 10 parts of a polyhydric alcohol may be added to the mixture. Examples of polyhydric alcohols are glycerine, glycol, and diethylene glycol.

Such lubricating material as described above does not impart a stickiness to the fibers. The volatile carrier which remains on the fibers until they are at least partially opened up prevents any excessive accumulation of the lubricant in spots or in the tightly matted tufts of fibers.

The lubricant proper may be mixed with a suitable carrier of relatively low boiling point for example kerosene or benzene. The relative proportions of lubricant and carrier may vary between 40 parts of lubricant to 60 parts of carrier or 60 parts of lubricant to 40 parts of carrier. The carrier employed and the concentration of the lubricant in the carrier will vary with the type and size of fiber used, as well as the working conditions such as temperature, etc. The carrier is selected such that the major proportion is removed from the fibers during the opening up operation and such that the vapor of same is not injurious to employees or may be removed by suction devices and fiues above the card device.

The artificial fibers after being opened up may be mixed in any desired proportion with wool fibers by laying down on a mixing fioor alternate layers of artificial fibers and wool fibers.

The percentage of artificial fibers employed in the mixture may vary from 20 to more than of the mass. As the wool fiber layers are laid down in the mixing operation they may be subjected to an oiling treatment. The oily material employed is preferably an emulsion of a mixture, similar to that employed on the artificial fibers. in water in the ratio of about 50 parts of lubricant to 20 to 50 parts of water. Although this lubricant is aqueous in character it has no tendency to make the pre-oiled artificial fibers mat or become stringy.

The mixture of artificial fibers and wool fibers may be processed to yarn and threads by the woolen method, the worsted method or the French spinning method, in a manner similar to the processing of wool fibers alone. The yarns or threads are strong and of a worsted appearance and may be woven, warp knitted, circular knitted, knotted or netted into fabrics of great strength and durability that are light in weight and nonabsorbent.

It is to be understood that theforegoing detailed description is merely given by way of illustration and many alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a method of producing spun yarn from wool fibers and artificial fibers containing organic derivatives of cellulose, the step of making the organic derivative of cellulose fibers more amenable to processing with the wool fibers to form a mixed spun yarn, which comprises subjecting said organic derivative of cellulose fibers to treatment with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil, a caustic material, a fatty acid and an alcohol, in kerosene as a carrier.

2. In a method of producing spun yarn from wool fibers and artificial fibers containing cellulose acetate, thestep of making the cellulose acetate fibers more amenableto processing with the wool fibers to form a mixed spun yarn, which comprises subjecting said cellulose acetate fibers to treatment with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil, a caustic material, a fatty acid and an alcohol, in kerosene as a carrier.

3. Method of preparing artificial fibers containing organic, derivatives of cellulose to make the same more amenable to processing with wool fibers to form a mixed spun yarn, which comprises subjecting the organic derivative of cellulose fibers to treatment with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil, a caustic material, a fatty acid and an alcohol, in kerosene asa carrier and opening the treated organic derivative of cellulose fibers under such conditions that the kerosene is substantially removed therefrom.

4. Method of preparing artificial fibers containing cellulose acetate to make the same more amenable to processing with wool fibers to form a mixed spunyarn, which comprises subjecting the cellulose acetate fibers to treatment with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil, a caustic material, a fatty acid and an alcohol, in kerosene as a carrier and opening the treated cellulose acetate fibers under such conditions that the kerosene is substantially removed therefrom.

5. Method of preparing artificial fibers containing organic derivatives of cellulose to make the same more amenable to processing with wool fibers to form a mixed spun yarn, which comide, oleic acid and ethyl alcohol, in kerosene as a carrier and opening the treated organic derivative of cellulose fibers under such conditions that the kerosene is substantially removed therefrom.

6. Method of preparing artificial fibers containing cellulose acetate to make the same more amenable to processing with wool fibers to form a mixed spun yarn, which comprises subjecting the cellulose acetate fibers to treatment with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil,

holQin kerosene as a carrier and opening the potassium hydroxide, oleic acid and ethyl alcoditions that the kerosene is substantially removed therefrom. 1

7. Method of producing spun yarn from wool fibers and artificial fibers containing organic derivatives of cellulose, which comprises subjectpatible with the lubricant on the organic derivative of cellulose fibers and converting the mixed fibers into a mixed spun yarn.

8. Method of producing spun yarn from wool fibers and artificial fibers containing cellulose acetate, which comprises subjecting the cellulose acetate fibers to treatment with a lubricant in a volatile non-aqueous carrier, opening the treated cellulose acetate fibers under such conditions that the volatile carrier is substantially removed therefrom mixing said cellulose acetate fibers with wool fibers treated with an aqueous emulsion of a lubricant which is compatible with the lubricant on the cellulose acetate fibers and converting the mixed fibers into a mixed spun yarn.

9. Method of producing spun yarn from wool fibers and artificial fibers containing organic derivatives of cellulose, which comprises subjecting the organic derivative of cellulose fibers to treatment with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil, a caustic material, a fatty acid and an alcohol, in kerosene as a carrier, opening the treated organic derivative of cellulose fibers under such conditions that the kerosene is substantially removed therefrom, mixing said organic derivative of cellulose fibers with Wool fibers and converting the mixed fibers into a mixed spun yarn.

10. Method of producing spun yarn from wool fibers and artificial fibers containing cellulose acetate, which comprises subjecting the cellulose acetate fibers to treatment with a lubricant com,-

prising a mixture of mineral oil, a caustic material, a fatty acid and an alcohol, in kerosene as a carrier, opening the treated cellulose acetate fibers under such conditions that the kerosene is substantially removed therefrom, mixing said cellulose acetate fibers with wool fibers and converting the mixed fibers into a-mixed spun yarn.

11. Spun yarn containing wool fibers and artificial fibers of organic derivatives of cellulose, said artificial fibers being treated with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil, a caustic material, a fatty acid and an alcohol.

12. Spun yarn containing wool fibers and artificial fibers of cellulose acetate, said artificial fibers being treated with a lubricantcomprising a mixture of mineral oil, a caustic material, a fatty acid and an alcohol.

13. Spun yarn containing wool fibers and artificial fibers of organic derivatives of cellulose, said artificial fibers beingtreated with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil, potassium hydroxide, oleic acid and ethyl alcohol.

14. Spun yarn containing wool fibers and artificial fibers of cellulose acetate, said artificial fibers being treated with a lubricant comprising a mixture of mineral oil, potassium hydroxide, oleic acid and ethyl alcohol. J 

